tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17240746769177302922017-07-28T07:21:02.833+01:00Dragonflydragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.comBlogger524125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-43807388267391923942013-10-12T14:13:00.001+01:002013-10-12T14:13:26.297+01:00A winner …<br /><br />Thank you for all your comments/tweets and entries from my <a target="_blank" href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/secretsewingproject.html">last post</a>!<br /><br />As promised, I have used the random number selector app on my phone to pick a winner:<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/22684847@N08/10225167036/'><img src='http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10225167036_d94190cc1f_b.jpg' border='0' width='420' height='629' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="https://mobile.twitter.com/lp_lisa">Lisa P</a> that's you! Do get in touch so I can send out your cushion. <br /><br />Back soon!<br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-92036639286882932552013-10-04T11:39:00.000+01:002013-10-04T12:22:58.146+01:00#secretsewingproject ...I've been dropping hints all over the place for the last couple of weeks about an exciting project I have been working on. Today, all can be <a href="http://purplepoddedpeas.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/tah-daaah-my-first-fabric-collection.html">revealed</a>! Back in the summer, when I was laying about in the hammock, I got an email from <a href="http://purplepoddedpeas.blogspot.co.uk/">Celia</a> wondering if I'd like to make some things with a fabric collection she was putting together. My reply was immediate - I would LOVE to. How could I possibly turn down such an offer?! I have been a huge fan of Celia's designs and have cheekily framed a few of her cards to turn them into wall art in both my bedroom and kitchen.<br /><br />A few weeks later, I received a very tempting parcel that was ripped open in a very exciting manner.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMeRU4Pk9bI/Uk6OQPDyUnI/AAAAAAAAF4s/RNofzAgyK_U/s1600/IMG_6660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMeRU4Pk9bI/Uk6OQPDyUnI/AAAAAAAAF4s/RNofzAgyK_U/s640/IMG_6660.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fabric that it revealed set my heart aflutter. I literally couldn't wait to get stuck in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uDmvwqxKDg/Uk6PFHs3TtI/AAAAAAAAF48/ZHk83kvBJ6w/s1600/IMG_6661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uDmvwqxKDg/Uk6PFHs3TtI/AAAAAAAAF48/ZHk83kvBJ6w/s640/IMG_6661.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Celia said I could do whatever I wanted with them and so I decided that I'd add some other fabrics to show them off. I've been wanting to use some Liberty tana lawn for a while and thought that the small flowery designs would compliment Celia's fabrics well. I also added some stronger greys to frame some of the blocks. With rotary cutter in hand, I was soon on my way to chopping up and recreating my own twist on things. &nbsp;I emailed Celia just to say that I hoped she wouldn't be too horrified that I was having a whale of a time cutting her gorgeous fabric up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First up (naturally!) was a cushion. The heart design was crying out for a log cabin block! And my knitting chair in the conservatory was crying out for a replacement for the rather dog-eared wooly number that has adorned it for the last five years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epQYxkM4pH0/Uk6OM321unI/AAAAAAAAF4A/yN_8MXYpC6M/s1600/IMG_6652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epQYxkM4pH0/Uk6OM321unI/AAAAAAAAF4A/yN_8MXYpC6M/s640/IMG_6652.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the bold splash of red it has given that corner and so got cracking on making something for my kitchen too. Next up was a table runner. It's really tricky to photograph things on my kitchen table as the maple wood always makes everything very yellow-y. The runner is also quite long so it was hard to get a good picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ9AbxWvXbs/Uk6OPNFuAGI/AAAAAAAAF4o/mBqZjMYpEQY/s1600/IMG_6657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ9AbxWvXbs/Uk6OPNFuAGI/AAAAAAAAF4o/mBqZjMYpEQY/s640/IMG_6657.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've decided to leave it until next month to use it on the table as it has quite a *whispers* <span style="font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic;">festive </span>feel to it.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Va8NvboEqA/Uk6OPL8GAEI/AAAAAAAAF4k/dtJ0LA7wNVE/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Va8NvboEqA/Uk6OPL8GAEI/AAAAAAAAF4k/dtJ0LA7wNVE/s640/IMG_6658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have used all my scraps up by finally making a couple of little coaster sets too. One for me, and one can be found in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/featheryournest135">Etsy shop</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pZldY3vUys/Uk6SlmwR1RI/AAAAAAAAF5I/wvIUo945Keo/s1600/IMG_6662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pZldY3vUys/Uk6SlmwR1RI/AAAAAAAAF5I/wvIUo945Keo/s640/IMG_6662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can find Celia's Spoonflower shop <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/celiahart">here</a>. I am very tempted by the Sea Hearts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now for the good part!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAsWC5tuo0w/Uk6cWDQV_wI/AAAAAAAAF6A/jxgEvej0Acw/s1600/IMG_6651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAsWC5tuo0w/Uk6cWDQV_wI/AAAAAAAAF6A/jxgEvej0Acw/s640/IMG_6651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the remaining fabric I made a further two cushions; one is on its way to Celia to say thank you for letting me play with your fabrics, and the second is up for grabs as a giveaway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H5jelXOXL_k/Uk6Uhr8iNcI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/LuUVwfkPrYs/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H5jelXOXL_k/Uk6Uhr8iNcI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/LuUVwfkPrYs/s640/IMG_6653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only the cushion cover is included, and it measures 45cm x 45cm. As with all my cushions, it is machine-pieced and -quilted and hand-finished.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KczHMrzlM7w/Uk6Vd59YkrI/AAAAAAAAF5w/vYkSbmP69BA/s1600/IMG_6663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KczHMrzlM7w/Uk6Vd59YkrI/AAAAAAAAF5w/vYkSbmP69BA/s640/IMG_6663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All you have to do is leave me a comment here to be in with a chance to win. For a second entry, tweet me - I'm <a href="https://twitter.com/ttcdowling">@ttcdowling</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The giveaway will close next Friday 11 October and I will draw a winner on Saturday 12 October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*edited to add: please try to leave an email address for me to contact you to enter the giveaway (noreplyblogger isn't very helpful!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com133tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-90131182940504796762013-09-30T11:21:00.000+01:002013-09-30T11:21:27.541+01:00Hello!My poor neglected blog! It's been sitting here in the background all summer patiently waiting for me to come and pay it some attention.<br /><br />So where was I? Ah, yes, flowers. Plenty of them. The glorious summer that was 2013 gave me the cutting garden that I've always dreamed of.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A63RuMq9hao/UklNy_WRtKI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/qxqCSvOwXMo/s1600/Rudbeckia+&amp;+cosmos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A63RuMq9hao/UklNy_WRtKI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/qxqCSvOwXMo/s640/Rudbeckia+&amp;+cosmos.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have had literally vaseful after vaseful of them for the last six months. I give them away by the bucketload and I can make an impromptu gift at the snip of my scissors.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1e4M3MJP4M/UklNzP554OI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/pBhBclPqBOk/s1600/Sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1e4M3MJP4M/UklNzP554OI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/pBhBclPqBOk/s640/Sunflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I have done barely any crafting; no quilting or sewing at all, a little crochet in an attempt to get through the stash and last week as I felt the season had changed for sure, I cast on a pair of socks. All my time has been spent outdoors, and I have loved every minute of it.<br /><br />Back in July, my allotment looked relatively tidy and was just starting to give me fruit and vegetables on a regular basis.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G53gqsSISZ4/UklNyWFXvNI/AAAAAAAAF3U/SOFnTuWK-qQ/s1600/Plot+-+July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G53gqsSISZ4/UklNyWFXvNI/AAAAAAAAF3U/SOFnTuWK-qQ/s640/Plot+-+July.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Then it went slightly mad. This is how it looked last week:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvwFJcNNHKI/UklNyr6yDsI/AAAAAAAAF3c/zVPX-hFp5lk/s1600/Plot+-+September.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvwFJcNNHKI/UklNyr6yDsI/AAAAAAAAF3c/zVPX-hFp5lk/s640/Plot+-+September.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I could be working down there and be completely hidden from view. This weekend saw the start of the big tidy up, but let's talk about that another time.<br /><br />When I wasn't outside in my own patch, I managed to grab a couple of weekends away camping and a trip to the Moreton Show, where I came away dreaming of livestock and wonderful different breeds of poultry. Ok, so maybe not this splendid chap!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GjLkVhRhJs/UklNxM_PHbI/AAAAAAAAF3E/yqa_VcUwons/s1600/Moreton+bull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GjLkVhRhJs/UklNxM_PHbI/AAAAAAAAF3E/yqa_VcUwons/s640/Moreton+bull.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Other days have been spent with friends and just generally catching up.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDbJSlZ9c3Q/UklNxVelLoI/AAAAAAAAF3A/mJ-WxEjwqJQ/s1600/Kew+mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDbJSlZ9c3Q/UklNxVelLoI/AAAAAAAAF3A/mJ-WxEjwqJQ/s640/Kew+mushrooms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Now the nights are drawing in and I find myself craving the cosy side of crafting again. And that is a very good thing as I have been thrilled to work on an exciting project that will be revealed at the end of the week.<br /><br />Oh, did I mention my dahlias? I'm in love.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjBO-pHMlks/UklNxLcobaI/AAAAAAAAF28/Abpo1Z7sEKA/s1600/Dahlia+jewels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjBO-pHMlks/UklNxLcobaI/AAAAAAAAF28/Abpo1Z7sEKA/s640/Dahlia+jewels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-38801480290357986522013-07-18T10:16:00.000+01:002013-07-18T10:16:24.774+01:00Abundance ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm enjoying what I think is known as a glut! A glut of sweet peas. I'm not complaining. &nbsp;The colours are divine. The scent heavenly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsDWnboXveM/Ueer1ky_1_I/AAAAAAAAF1M/GdjCEaeYZZc/s1600/IMG_5970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsDWnboXveM/Ueer1ky_1_I/AAAAAAAAF1M/GdjCEaeYZZc/s640/IMG_5970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />I have two cane wigwams of them on my allotment and at the moment, I am stripping them every other day and what I haven't room for, I am giving away to friends.<br /><br />I don't really need any more words, I can let the photos do the talking, but suffice to say I am A Very Happy Girl.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbsLim1LRrI/Ueer6zcVLYI/AAAAAAAAF18/px0g2ZBxPCg/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbsLim1LRrI/Ueer6zcVLYI/AAAAAAAAF18/px0g2ZBxPCg/s640/IMG_5983.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRSp25M_Dww/Ueer2adn_MI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/qrerm4V8mdE/s1600/IMG_5969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRSp25M_Dww/Ueer2adn_MI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/qrerm4V8mdE/s640/IMG_5969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFi-O8mgcWY/Ueer2K6UlOI/AAAAAAAAF1I/HT9J0qlez6I/s1600/IMG_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFi-O8mgcWY/Ueer2K6UlOI/AAAAAAAAF1I/HT9J0qlez6I/s640/IMG_5968.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2DHWorbq7M/Ueer3oVPxqI/AAAAAAAAF1c/kARZG3wr18w/s1600/IMG_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2DHWorbq7M/Ueer3oVPxqI/AAAAAAAAF1c/kARZG3wr18w/s640/IMG_5972.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjemPdROud4/Ueer5IjIawI/AAAAAAAAF1k/nJnqxz2hjjU/s1600/IMG_5973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjemPdROud4/Ueer5IjIawI/AAAAAAAAF1k/nJnqxz2hjjU/s640/IMG_5973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZxhK4KMfhg/Ueer6aLiD_I/AAAAAAAAF1w/HcQmmGFrI7o/s1600/IMG_5975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZxhK4KMfhg/Ueer6aLiD_I/AAAAAAAAF1w/HcQmmGFrI7o/s640/IMG_5975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-35706529459108084512013-07-11T10:03:00.000+01:002013-07-11T10:03:10.049+01:00RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in 10 ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;A surprise message popped up on my Twitter page on Monday - with congratulations, I had won 2 tickets to the <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2013">RHS Hampton Court Flower Show</a> from <a href="http://www.sophieconran.com/">Sophie Conran</a>! There may or may not have been an excited squeal. Then I went into panic mode because my reply kept failing so I had to anxiously wait for 24 hours to see if it was actually true. Time felt as though it was ticking away as the only day I was going to be able to honour the tickets was yesterday as my week was all accounted for. In a flurry of emails on Tuesday evening, it all fell into place. &nbsp;Rather aptly, considering my <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/six-weeks-six-things.html">backyard companions</a>&nbsp;(scroll down through the post!), Sophie is one of a <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2013/All-Coverage/Articles/Features/Celebrity-hen-coops">team of designers who have created a henhouse</a>, all of which are being auctioned, with the proceeds going to the <a href="http://apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/default.aspa">RHS Campaign for School Gardening.</a></li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6nz3vKpkuU/Ud5p-fEkiHI/AAAAAAAAFz0/3DCY68o1d3w/s1600/IMG_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6nz3vKpkuU/Ud5p-fEkiHI/AAAAAAAAFz0/3DCY68o1d3w/s640/IMG_5903.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>After a journey that comprised of a car drive to my Mum's (who was my companion for the day), a bus, a tube, a train and finally a boat down the short stretch of the Thames from Hampton Court Station to the entrance of the show, we finally arrived to a gloriously sunny day. Perhaps it was the soaring temperatures that drew me to the cooler coloured plantings. This Willow Pattern garden reminded me of <a href="http://thesightofmorning.blogspot.co.uk/">Alice</a>.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n41oXQUGPBs/Ud5p8HEJOzI/AAAAAAAAFzs/qVkdKREtIWM/s1600/IMG_5899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n41oXQUGPBs/Ud5p8HEJOzI/AAAAAAAAFzs/qVkdKREtIWM/s640/IMG_5899.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2013/Gardens/Garden-directory/The-Ecover-Garden">This garden won Best in Show</a> and I loved the planting and the idea behind it. I'm thinking of adding something watery to my garden in the autumn. The agapanthus were absolutely enormous - I must read up on how to increase the flower size on mine, which has been in decline over the years.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tlJpuNoASE/Ud5p7hCuEFI/AAAAAAAAFzo/4-L1tgVqfbU/s1600/IMG_5898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tlJpuNoASE/Ud5p7hCuEFI/AAAAAAAAFzo/4-L1tgVqfbU/s640/IMG_5898.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I think this was actually my favourite stand in the show. I love everything about it. It was by <a href="http://www.wildthymeplants.co.uk/">Wild Thyme Nursery</a> in the Floral Marquee.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apIoLnJfsL4/Ud5qCbYI_1I/AAAAAAAAF0c/trJv--TskgM/s1600/IMG_5904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apIoLnJfsL4/Ud5qCbYI_1I/AAAAAAAAF0c/trJv--TskgM/s640/IMG_5904.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I made notes and took photos of many plants I would like to add to my garden, including this dahlia from The National Dahlia Collection.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z8mNs3t3Lw/Ud5qBw2ItBI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/dB0JBNcIX4w/s1600/IMG_5906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z8mNs3t3Lw/Ud5qBw2ItBI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/dB0JBNcIX4w/s640/IMG_5906.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>This rose, that I will be on the look out for in the autumn to plant as a bare-root plant. So pretty.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQjEM6cCdv0/Ud5p-t7l1GI/AAAAAAAAF0I/Wx_KrpJxXmw/s1600/IMG_5902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQjEM6cCdv0/Ud5p-t7l1GI/AAAAAAAAF0I/Wx_KrpJxXmw/s640/IMG_5902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I think finding a spot for this climbing rose is a high priority, with its <a href="http://instagram.com/p/almc3NnYbl/">namesake</a> patrolling the garden on an hourly basis!</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EEEsid2BNs/Ud5p-gKfjVI/AAAAAAAAF0E/UZXLL8VoLSU/s1600/IMG_5901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EEEsid2BNs/Ud5p-gKfjVI/AAAAAAAAF0E/UZXLL8VoLSU/s640/IMG_5901.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I loved the <a href="http://www.seedsofitaly.com/">Franchi Seed</a> stand in the Growing for Taste marquee. We arrived just after they'd had a royal visitor apparently!&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EARFTtndRS0/Ud5zui77PPI/AAAAAAAAF04/wTaRah9bPHs/s1600/IMG_5908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EARFTtndRS0/Ud5zui77PPI/AAAAAAAAF04/wTaRah9bPHs/s640/IMG_5908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>If the mood took you, there was copious amounts of opportunity to spend, spend, spend. I could only dream ... about the greenhouse of my dreams ... maybe one day ...</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLPo0RrlQHc/Ud5p7tbU1hI/AAAAAAAAFzw/ZjqpLFnWaFg/s1600/IMG_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLPo0RrlQHc/Ud5p7tbU1hI/AAAAAAAAFzw/ZjqpLFnWaFg/s640/IMG_5900.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>I did concede to one purchase other than a packet of seeds! I bought the 2 clematis shown here to use with the willow support I made last year. They are fabulously healthy plants and full of buds and promise. Cool spectrum colours again, and a reminder of a wonderful day out.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7a0ljttuJs/Ud5qCr3xWvI/AAAAAAAAF0g/qJHMasjRPRE/s1600/IMG_5905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7a0ljttuJs/Ud5qCr3xWvI/AAAAAAAAF0g/qJHMasjRPRE/s640/IMG_5905.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-69941631632198603332013-07-08T10:00:00.000+01:002013-07-08T10:00:07.461+01:00Nothing if not predictable ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSzqGtOthMU/Udld0b8eA5I/AAAAAAAAFzM/zmxhVDSRc0Q/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSzqGtOthMU/Udld0b8eA5I/AAAAAAAAFzM/zmxhVDSRc0Q/s640/IMG_5756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It was always on the cards that there would be a cushion to sit atop my <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/learning-curves.html">new quilt</a>. It is the best way to use up the scraps from a bigger project and I wanted to eek out the Flea Market Fancy love as much as possible.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBiWZ2x1RcE/UdldxVkGFTI/AAAAAAAAFy0/IYU0ebummXg/s1600/IMG_5753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBiWZ2x1RcE/UdldxVkGFTI/AAAAAAAAFy0/IYU0ebummXg/s640/IMG_5753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I decided on making the back-to-front version of the quilt block by using the plain white as the flower.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAI8-kP3N6s/Udldxwd4-9I/AAAAAAAAFy8/RQPu4KXPrck/s1600/IMG_5754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAI8-kP3N6s/Udldxwd4-9I/AAAAAAAAFy8/RQPu4KXPrck/s640/IMG_5754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />It gave me lots of scope to keep playing with my perle threads for the hand-quilting. There is something extraordinarily satisfying about a simple running stitch, both in terms of actually doing it and the finished result.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eFffyG-mtJc/Udldx10LT4I/AAAAAAAAFzA/YnEm0jUIzoo/s1600/IMG_5752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eFffyG-mtJc/Udldx10LT4I/AAAAAAAAFzA/YnEm0jUIzoo/s640/IMG_5752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />So my bed now has a summer look, and one that I am extremely happy with. &nbsp;Although with this wonderful warm spell, the quilt is being thrown off with abandon!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CZH3okfSpQ/UdldzpTzeXI/AAAAAAAAFzI/qI6V8AiOIVQ/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CZH3okfSpQ/UdldzpTzeXI/AAAAAAAAFzI/qI6V8AiOIVQ/s640/IMG_5755.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-89489721560392759722013-06-24T10:49:00.000+01:002013-06-24T11:13:33.975+01:00Shades of blue ...The colour in my garden goes through cyclical changes as it progresses through the seasons. Spring starts with the welcome splash of sunny yellow with the narcissi and daffodils. It then gives way to the riot of colour that is the tulips. These are followed by the swathe of purple of the alliums, drawing my eye to the bottom border away from the by now rather messy tulip foliage. My <a href="http://www.sarahraven.com/shop/allium-sphaerocephalon.html">acorn-shaped alliums</a> are in full bud still and yet to flower, as are my few remaining <a href="http://www.sarahraven.com/shop/allium-cristophii.html">allium cristophii</a>, ready to explode firework-like at any minute.<br /><br />At the moment it is a calming blue, with these autumn-sown <a href="http://higgledygarden.com/products-page/seeds/centaurea-cynus-blue-boy/">cornflowers</a> flowering like mad and I can barely keep up with cutting them and bringing them indoors.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COHiZgMEp94/UcgSBQb-SxI/AAAAAAAAFyA/di4pOxi4_5c/s1600/IMG_5623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COHiZgMEp94/UcgSBQb-SxI/AAAAAAAAFyA/di4pOxi4_5c/s640/IMG_5623.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />They are wild, straggly and I love them!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcKngBAWFI8/UcgR7oLvRHI/AAAAAAAAFxc/vDXzee_47xU/s1600/Cornflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcKngBAWFI8/UcgR7oLvRHI/AAAAAAAAFxc/vDXzee_47xU/s640/Cornflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I also sowed <a href="http://higgledygarden.com/products-page/seeds/nigella-love-in-the-mist-miss-jekyll-oxford-blue/">nigella</a> in the autumn and although not quite as tall as their neighbour, they are flowering prolifically too. They are also providing me with endless photo opportunities as I find their flowers fascinating.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFbeJGx6w1Q/UcgbndtLtSI/AAAAAAAAFyc/b51Tqa4zk9U/s1600/IMG_5619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFbeJGx6w1Q/UcgbndtLtSI/AAAAAAAAFyc/b51Tqa4zk9U/s640/IMG_5619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPM8KXdyQ3A/UcgSBjgaPlI/AAAAAAAAFyI/22Fft4kElGI/s1600/IMG_5625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPM8KXdyQ3A/UcgSBjgaPlI/AAAAAAAAFyI/22Fft4kElGI/s640/IMG_5625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzVia_E4ZTI/UcgR-1L5KDI/AAAAAAAAFx4/WJb46Y0BKII/s1600/IMG_5620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzVia_E4ZTI/UcgR-1L5KDI/AAAAAAAAFx4/WJb46Y0BKII/s640/IMG_5620.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />They are great for cutting and when they go over, the seed heads are almost too good for throwing away.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJbnqEY4wTs/UcgSAopILvI/AAAAAAAAFyE/RYmK64XMDNU/s1600/IMG_5622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJbnqEY4wTs/UcgSAopILvI/AAAAAAAAFyE/RYmK64XMDNU/s640/IMG_5622.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a little over-excited that soon I'll be cutting delphiniums too. I've said before that it feels such a luxury to be able to cut from my own garden and these were top of my list to have on the cutting patch.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3mQ2tJx5Dw/UcgR-_iU8aI/AAAAAAAAFx0/SsTSS3NaqTk/s1600/IMG_5621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3mQ2tJx5Dw/UcgR-_iU8aI/AAAAAAAAFx0/SsTSS3NaqTk/s640/IMG_5621.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Soon, the colour palette will change again, with hot pinks and acid brights emerging. I have the first roses out which have already added some zing to the border. What's flowering in your garden?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-91068547212773647352013-06-12T11:30:00.000+01:002013-06-12T11:30:05.114+01:00Beyond the fence ...<br />Things have been pretty quiet around here in this space but I can prove that I have been far from idle. Last year I made the decision to take back my allotment space that is nestled beyond my back fence. I wrote a post <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/plotting.html">here</a> and talked about my first tentative steps in reclaiming this bit of land again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT2KlhtklZc/UbhF_yk_JeI/AAAAAAAAFuY/QfV8auJ8sWU/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT2KlhtklZc/UbhF_yk_JeI/AAAAAAAAFuY/QfV8auJ8sWU/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It's funny how your memory plays tricks on you, and I can hardly believe that it once looked like the photo above. With a bit of help, I soon had my blank canvas to start playing with again.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnEmXH1EL68/UbhIu4ZDW9I/AAAAAAAAFvw/nANjJ4OaXoQ/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnEmXH1EL68/UbhIu4ZDW9I/AAAAAAAAFvw/nANjJ4OaXoQ/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Having been generously spread with rather pongy manure and then covered up in tarpaulins overwinter, this spring I started to make my 2-D plans that had been scribbled and sketched in my notebook come to life.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOb0wME63Os/UbhGMsgcIGI/AAAAAAAAFvA/vfEcyO3iTwg/s1600/IMG_5550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOb0wME63Os/UbhGMsgcIGI/AAAAAAAAFvA/vfEcyO3iTwg/s640/IMG_5550.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><br /><br />My Dad and I made some triangular beds out of some old used decking that we scavenged from our local nursery and I began to divide the area up in to workable areas. &nbsp;The triangle beds are for my vegetables and in the photo above from a couple of months ago, there are garlic and broad beans that I had planted in pots in January.<br /><br />The middle section is for my cutting patch and the section at the bottom, beyond the sweetpea wigwams, is for fruit.<br /><br />The raspberries that I planted in November have started to show some green and the thought of harvesting some later in the year is about the only thing that is exciting No2 about my latest venture.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4L83dxtol58/UbhGP4_utEI/AAAAAAAAFvY/83572Lj4O8o/s1600/IMG_5548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4L83dxtol58/UbhGP4_utEI/AAAAAAAAFvY/83572Lj4O8o/s640/IMG_5548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The strawberry patch is looking much healthier and promising since this photo too, with flowers abound which can only mean one thing: fruit. I'll be watching like a hawk to see that they don't get eaten before I get to pick them and I have netting at the ready.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXt07Tb8OEk/UbhGcDB2vAI/AAAAAAAAFvg/8_59QwFblN4/s1600/IMG_5547.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXt07Tb8OEk/UbhGcDB2vAI/AAAAAAAAFvg/8_59QwFblN4/s640/IMG_5547.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile in the greenhouse, it has been very full over the last three months and I have just about planted everything out now. I adore growing things from seed. The anticipation and nurturing are all good for the soul. Followed by the sight of germination and the forming of the first true leaves, it is the most satisfying thing I can think of.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnCJb4YDAUc/UbhGIiORelI/AAAAAAAAFuw/rcOGLv5Yzlg/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnCJb4YDAUc/UbhGIiORelI/AAAAAAAAFuw/rcOGLv5Yzlg/s640/IMG_5552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />There has been much carting about of compost and grit in an effort to try and improve the heavy soil and my wheelbarrow and I are firm friends and almost inseparable!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8E7QylYrUY4/UbhGOON4PhI/AAAAAAAAFvM/lnC-YbQT6jw/s1600/IMG_5549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8E7QylYrUY4/UbhGOON4PhI/AAAAAAAAFvM/lnC-YbQT6jw/s640/IMG_5549.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I even wore out my wellies!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjPvEsp258I/UbhGKmy6tiI/AAAAAAAAFu4/Dev157ZmK6c/s1600/IMG_5551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjPvEsp258I/UbhGKmy6tiI/AAAAAAAAFu4/Dev157ZmK6c/s640/IMG_5551.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />And now it is starting to actually produce things. Radishes are the easiest and quickest of seeds to grow and it's a good thing, because I love them! At the weekend I sowed another half row of beautifully coloured<a href="http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk/vegetables/radish-milano-mixed"> Milano ones</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9W046LurcA/UbhGDL8x2cI/AAAAAAAAFug/Ev5ea3hRmI0/s1600/IMG_5554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9W046LurcA/UbhGDL8x2cI/AAAAAAAAFug/Ev5ea3hRmI0/s640/IMG_5554.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I'm pretty certain most things are dreadfully late this year, as is the case in my garden (I've never had tulips still flowering in June), but I'm looking forward to broad beans as promised by the gorgeous flowers on my plants.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4iQDl0AUBec/UbhGEfoOjSI/AAAAAAAAFuo/6k-aQKPcAl0/s1600/IMG_5553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4iQDl0AUBec/UbhGEfoOjSI/AAAAAAAAFuo/6k-aQKPcAl0/s640/IMG_5553.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />It has been the perfect project to take me through what feels like an eternal winter and the most miserable of springs. The hours I have spent over there have kept me fit and happy and I can see that it is just going to keep on giving.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-40605550962489149882013-06-03T19:51:00.001+01:002013-06-12T11:31:36.519+01:00Learning curves …<br />When I <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-quilt-for-spring.html" target="_blank">posted</a> about a quilt for spring, <a href="http://thequincetree65.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sue</a> commented that there perhaps ought to be one for summer and then autumn. I'm thinking that my latest quilt ticks the box for summer. Laid out, it is a field of flowers. <br /><br /><br /><center></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxO9uU80xAU/UbhN-dXUtsI/AAAAAAAAFwA/6zef-2jHwxY/s1600/IMG_5454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxO9uU80xAU/UbhN-dXUtsI/AAAAAAAAFwA/6zef-2jHwxY/s640/IMG_5454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />This is probably my most ambitious <a href="http://www.thesometimescrafter.com/RetroFlowersQuilt.html" target="_blank">quilt</a> to date, both in terms of size (it is a whopping 80" square) and in technique. Way back when, my to do list looked like this:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x33ZL1hV8Nc/Ua4PKpjh15I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/tLkIjYwIzEc/s1600/IMG_5445.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x33ZL1hV8Nc/Ua4PKpjh15I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/tLkIjYwIzEc/s640/IMG_5445.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><center></center><br /><br />In between other projects, a sewing machine service that kept me and my trusty machine apart for a total of four weeks and a myriad of other excuses, I finally sussed it out. <br /><br /><br /><center></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc1zbsSpXQQ/Ua4Ozm5jOLI/AAAAAAAAFtI/E4ytUg94dEM/s1600/IMG_5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc1zbsSpXQQ/Ua4Ozm5jOLI/AAAAAAAAFtI/E4ytUg94dEM/s640/IMG_5441.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />I have used my favourite fabric collection EVER - <a href="http://dsquilts.com/fabric_and_patterns.asp?PageID=79" target="_blank">Flea Market Fancy</a> by Denyse Schmidt and I ordered the fat quarter collection from <a href="http://www.fabricworm.com/denyseschmidt.html" target="_blank">Fabricworm</a> as soon as the legacy reprint collection was released, far too impatient to wait for its UK debut. I had collected pieces of the original collection over the years and have incorporated a few of them into the quilt as well as used one of them for the binding.<br /><br /><br /><center></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3SoyJk8VI/Ua4PQLpcgcI/AAAAAAAAFtg/Ays7lq6R978/s1600/IMG_5437.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3SoyJk8VI/Ua4PQLpcgcI/AAAAAAAAFtg/Ays7lq6R978/s640/IMG_5437.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><center></center><br /><br />I felt reluctant to drag this quilt through my machine to quilt it and am so glad I opted to hand-quilt, using my perle threads, around each flower. I love the way it highlights the negative space in between. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zrRdDKgk-pw/Ua4OrFvcxOI/AAAAAAAAFsw/VXDxwFb9S6A/s1600/IMG_5434.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zrRdDKgk-pw/Ua4OrFvcxOI/AAAAAAAAFsw/VXDxwFb9S6A/s640/IMG_5434.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><center></center><br /><br />If I could ever pick my top fabric, I think it would have to be this bouquet print in this aqua colour way. To me, it is perfect and I only wish I had more. <br /><br /><br /><center></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iW7pOATV2LE/Ua4PSYqeVJI/AAAAAAAAFto/1LbEbMHRzcc/s1600/IMG_5438.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iW7pOATV2LE/Ua4PSYqeVJI/AAAAAAAAFto/1LbEbMHRzcc/s640/IMG_5438.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The finishing touch was a more elaborate than usual label to which I added a tiny bit of the selvedge plus a scrap to back the whole thing. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igXjYfce1gY/Ua4OsU9LOII/AAAAAAAAFs8/7cCmMH8I348/s1600/IMG_5433.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igXjYfce1gY/Ua4OsU9LOII/AAAAAAAAFs8/7cCmMH8I348/s640/IMG_5433.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><center></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />This quilt is now on my bed, having relegated my ripple crochet blanket to its summer home, and is adding another welcome splash of colour to my predominantly white bedroom. As ever, I can feel some pillows coming on … that's if I can drag myself out of the garden and back into my sewing room. <br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-52113916101722976532013-05-14T11:07:00.001+01:002013-05-14T11:07:26.667+01:00Interpretation ...I've loved having the opportunity lately of making some custom homewares for the customers in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/featheryournest135?ref=em">Etsy shop</a>. My love of colour is well documented here on this blog but it is wonderful to be able to interpret what other people might like with a mere suggestion of an idea. This pink and grey combination is another detour from my usual colour pairings but inspiring to play with.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxKUoI2twH4/UZH-CksaFaI/AAAAAAAAFsA/7oJodRvW420/s1600/IMG_5291.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxKUoI2twH4/UZH-CksaFaI/AAAAAAAAFsA/7oJodRvW420/s640/IMG_5291.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />From the seemingly limitless contents of my fabric stash, I can put together almost all possibilities of palettes, apart from, perhaps, black!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U573SWoSyz4/UZH-NR1P5QI/AAAAAAAAFsY/WjOdknH_5Fs/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U573SWoSyz4/UZH-NR1P5QI/AAAAAAAAFsY/WjOdknH_5Fs/s640/Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />My brain has been nicely taxed too in making things I've never made before and I'm thinking that I might have to make one of these double oven gloves for myself too. They have been much admired by my craft club ladies so perhaps I can give them a lesson and make my own pair (or is it <i>one</i>?).<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBe5YoDwl4U/UZH-H9hQ_XI/AAAAAAAAFsI/X7cqMg76LIM/s1600/IMG_5290.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBe5YoDwl4U/UZH-H9hQ_XI/AAAAAAAAFsI/X7cqMg76LIM/s640/IMG_5290.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The perspex template I have been using for my current quilting project was perfect for rounding off the corners and I am now a dab hand at cutting curves with my tiny 28mm rotary cutter.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iej10waaLQ8/UZH-Upb4pzI/AAAAAAAAFsg/_jUbUt4zcZk/s1600/IMG_5293.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iej10waaLQ8/UZH-Upb4pzI/AAAAAAAAFsg/_jUbUt4zcZk/s640/IMG_5293.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />These <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clover-Wonder-Clips-10-Pkg-/dp/B005806I44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1368525621&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=clover+clips">Clover wonder clips</a> were another useful bit of kit in finishing off the hand-sewing on the binding too.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqzQmXfDnhY/UZH-I5oNrXI/AAAAAAAAFsM/bxxmp3aSc90/s1600/IMG_5292.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqzQmXfDnhY/UZH-I5oNrXI/AAAAAAAAFsM/bxxmp3aSc90/s640/IMG_5292.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />This is the first set (<i>one</i>??!!) I made from the leftover scraps from the <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-quilt-for-spring.html">Spring Quilt</a> I made last month and below is the complete order for the grey and pink collection, which includes placemats and napkins to co-ordinate.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6nEXYQqZ5E/UZH9omB1WlI/AAAAAAAAFr4/DRhywHJcZHs/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6nEXYQqZ5E/UZH9omB1WlI/AAAAAAAAFr4/DRhywHJcZHs/s640/IMG_5130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm thinking I might make a couple more to add to the stock in my shop - what do you think? Or maybe use these as ideas for custom orders ... I'll have a think while I'm finishing up on my quilt top today.<br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-39203798399725987712013-05-04T06:44:00.000+01:002013-05-04T06:44:11.614+01:00Ten things ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2plrOk4dKI/UYSb8dJc8iI/AAAAAAAAFqo/pLwVD34WlvM/s1600/Anthropology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2plrOk4dKI/UYSb8dJc8iI/AAAAAAAAFqo/pLwVD34WlvM/s640/Anthropology.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul><li>I have been drooling over tiny bowls in a heavenly <a href="http://www.anthropologie.eu/en/uk/for-your-home/icat/forhome/">shop</a>. Alas, they didn't come home with me.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>I had the most amazing massage.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1mVfln5poGM/UYSb9V1_suI/AAAAAAAAFrE/EsnaJmS1AwA/s1600/Giraffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1mVfln5poGM/UYSb9V1_suI/AAAAAAAAFrE/EsnaJmS1AwA/s640/Giraffe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>No2 and I went to the <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/six-years_29.html">zoo</a>. Seven years. To say I was thrilled that Molly the giraffe approached the new bridge feature is an understatement. But, yes, that is a carrot on the right of the picture. Sadly not proffered by me though.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul><li>No2 now wants a lizard. Possibly a bearded one ...</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JI3xQ6zZ6uE/UYSb8VnTMtI/AAAAAAAAFqs/hUYj5iMF5C0/s1600/Auricula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JI3xQ6zZ6uE/UYSb8VnTMtI/AAAAAAAAFqs/hUYj5iMF5C0/s640/Auricula.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>My auriclas are jostling with my love of tulips as my favourite flower. The tulips need to be careful - I am fickle.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-99AKa5Qewa8/UYSb-F-DuJI/AAAAAAAAFrU/nFv43-5oK40/s1600/fyn+napkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-99AKa5Qewa8/UYSb-F-DuJI/AAAAAAAAFrU/nFv43-5oK40/s640/fyn+napkins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I have been busy sewing a wonderful custom order for some kitchen accessories. Who knew double oven gloves and simple running stitches could give me (and hopefully my customer) so much pleasure.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GK-0n1GHgo/UYSb9Tn-G5I/AAAAAAAAFrI/s6Z2-BMAioc/s1600/Muscare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GK-0n1GHgo/UYSb9Tn-G5I/AAAAAAAAFrI/s6Z2-BMAioc/s640/Muscare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>There are parts of my garden that are swathed in blue - some that I have planted intentionally ...</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtRn2fmA_y4/UYSb8QwvItI/AAAAAAAAFq4/5MqFf3lplYI/s1600/Forget-me-nots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtRn2fmA_y4/UYSb8QwvItI/AAAAAAAAFq4/5MqFf3lplYI/s640/Forget-me-nots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>... and some that I have not.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JncTDmzhhJU/UYSb9-6ZrKI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/mh8hMe5rU8s/s1600/Ulting+Wick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JncTDmzhhJU/UYSb9-6ZrKI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/mh8hMe5rU8s/s640/Ulting+Wick.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I have been enjoying <a href="http://www.ultingwickgarden.co.uk/">other people's gardens</a>. It looked very different from my <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/unexpected-memories.html">last visit</a> in September.</li><li>My own garden and new allotment are keeping me busy and this gorgeous sunshine is renewing my energy in leaps and bounds. Have a great weekend - you'll find me outside!</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-74909239075027180272013-04-18T10:09:00.001+01:002013-04-18T10:09:35.229+01:00A quilt for spring ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DqYkqAA4FE/UW-vLYlAM1I/AAAAAAAAFpo/iAu194pW2Lo/s1600/IMG_4984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DqYkqAA4FE/UW-vLYlAM1I/AAAAAAAAFpo/iAu194pW2Lo/s640/IMG_4984.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It may have been quiet over here for a while but that's not to say I've been not doing anything. It seems to make perfect sense that while the so-called start of spring was greyer than grey, my sewing room was reflecting the true colours of March and then through into April. I've been working on a custom quilt using a colour palette that was far removed from my usual choices and I've loved every cut, stitch and placement.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev5ORPacuyI/UW-vGVavCoI/AAAAAAAAFpY/cikNpXd07Ug/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ev5ORPacuyI/UW-vGVavCoI/AAAAAAAAFpY/cikNpXd07Ug/s640/IMG_4982.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I love interpreting what people might like - it takes me right back to my work in The Time Before Children when I was given a design brief and then, more or less, free rein to create.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1OilwNocZ4/UW-vKmzxZ3I/AAAAAAAAFps/lIha_5aho3w/s1600/IMG_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1OilwNocZ4/UW-vKmzxZ3I/AAAAAAAAFps/lIha_5aho3w/s640/IMG_4983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />This quilt has all the colours of spring that I can find by stepping out just a little way from either my front or back door, albeit a little later this year than most.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkJYIsMJPoU/UW-vHNQeTXI/AAAAAAAAFpg/3z8dpXpNSIE/s1600/IMG_4981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkJYIsMJPoU/UW-vHNQeTXI/AAAAAAAAFpg/3z8dpXpNSIE/s640/IMG_4981.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I love close, straight line quilting almost as much as I love muscari.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7xvUlewJTJE/UW-vG4Ip_9I/AAAAAAAAFpc/diK2E73G1FA/s1600/IMG_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7xvUlewJTJE/UW-vG4Ip_9I/AAAAAAAAFpc/diK2E73G1FA/s640/IMG_4980.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm hoping this quilt is just right for snuggling under while this wind blows wildly today.<br /><br />I've added it to my <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/p/commissions.html">commissions page</a> if you'd like to see it in its entirity.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-24997941177100144872013-03-15T12:56:00.000+00:002013-03-15T12:56:28.020+00:00Obsession ...You know when you're <strike>wasting time</strike> browsing on <a href="http://pinterest.com/ttcdowling/">Pinterest</a>, and something catches your eye and you <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/191191946652472474/">repin</a> it? Then you keep thinking about it and how much you'd like it to be more than just a virtual pin? Well, that happened with this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lett-lopi-vest">vest</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctpPgtX2Gdk/UUMWB7qCQZI/AAAAAAAAFmc/3SD0obvWYkc/s1600/IMG_4790.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctpPgtX2Gdk/UUMWB7qCQZI/AAAAAAAAFmc/3SD0obvWYkc/s640/IMG_4790.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />To tell you the truth, it became a bit of an obsession. There was a teeny, tiny problem though and that was that I had never done Fair Isle knitting before. Then a brainwave struck! I wondered if I could persuade <a href="http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/">Julie</a> to help me out when she came over for lunch the <a href="http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/2013/03/sociability.html">other day</a>. I might've hogged her attention for a while, I'll admit it *wink wink*<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CabX4CXDPo0/UUMWGWTLRII/AAAAAAAAFmw/Y1NWZrI9TrA/s1600/IMG_4792.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CabX4CXDPo0/UUMWGWTLRII/AAAAAAAAFmw/Y1NWZrI9TrA/s640/IMG_4792.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />After worrying about tension and not comprehending top and bottom strands, I am now the proud wearer of a garment that I <i>actually knitted</i>&nbsp;myself. I have to confess that I haven't knit anything bigger than a hat or a scarf since I was at college over 27 years ago, and that was a purple mohair number that proved too darn itchy to wear, so I am feeling fairly triumphant about this particular finished item.<br /><br />All details over on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Lilyflossie/lett-lopi-vest">Ravelry</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJIPrUZ3c3U/UUMWJPwW95I/AAAAAAAAFm4/_l6oOHYxj6g/s1600/IMG_4793.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJIPrUZ3c3U/UUMWJPwW95I/AAAAAAAAFm4/_l6oOHYxj6g/s640/IMG_4793.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Now it seems my obsession has moved onto other things and I am truly inspired by <a href="http://kristinasjollyhockeysticks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/mostly-monochrome.html">Kristina's beautifully neat sock knitting</a> to pick up the dpn's again ...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0NzXpvp-8Y/UUMWNN4wirI/AAAAAAAAFnA/Xjf-T6Q3gyk/s1600/IMG_4794.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0NzXpvp-8Y/UUMWNN4wirI/AAAAAAAAFnA/Xjf-T6Q3gyk/s640/IMG_4794.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-16839793026817876362013-03-09T12:21:00.002+00:002013-03-09T12:21:57.514+00:00En masse …<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EJtkFH-Okk/UTsoPbpg2mI/AAAAAAAAFmE/RV3_YBsTZcg/s1600/IMG_4759.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EJtkFH-Okk/UTsoPbpg2mI/AAAAAAAAFmE/RV3_YBsTZcg/s640/IMG_4759.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22684847@N08/8541762232/"><img border="0" height="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8541762232_a9a91e8e16_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">A carpet of mauve crocus at Kew. Delightful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMcb7cHRMfk/UTsoNCkG-WI/AAAAAAAAFmA/-pnN-Cp0xsg/s1600/IMG_4764.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMcb7cHRMfk/UTsoNCkG-WI/AAAAAAAAFmA/-pnN-Cp0xsg/s640/IMG_4764.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A blog lady gathering in my kitchen. Inspiring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22684847@N08/8540676539/"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8540676539_26ff2801ca_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A famous line-up of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RedNoseDayDollies?fref=ts">dolls</a>. Exciting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnpAHEtOnnY/UTsoP11NpGI/AAAAAAAAFmM/sk5DubW-nSU/s1600/IMG_4763.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnpAHEtOnnY/UTsoP11NpGI/AAAAAAAAFmM/sk5DubW-nSU/s640/IMG_4763.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A stack of pretty fabrics to play with. Satisfying.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22684847@N08/8541778564/"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8541778564_dbf7a6f29c_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All these things add to my Zen. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-53705461192540734592013-03-01T13:21:00.001+00:002013-03-01T13:22:54.936+00:00The Red Nose Day Dolls ...<br />You may already be aware of the fabulous <a href="http://silverpebble-jewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/red-nose-day-dolls-spreading-word.html">Red Nose Day Doll</a> project that is the brainchild of <a href="http://silverpebble-jewellery.blogspot.co.uk/">Emma Mitchell</a> and <a href="http://rosbadger.blogspot.co.uk/">Ros Badger</a>. It is a collaborative craft project in which I am thrilled to be part of and all for one of my favourite fundraisers -<a href="http://www.rednoseday.com/"> Comic Relief</a>.<br /><br /><br />You can read my blog post &nbsp;about the quilt I made for Mac <a href="http://therednosedaydolls.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/micro-quilting.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><br />The dolls are going to auctioned on eBay from 7th March 2013. If you'd like to donate to the project you can <a href="http://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/rednosedaydolls">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0WZunh-aB4/UTCaYx5fugI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/6wBhJssz5J0/s1600/IMG_4710.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0WZunh-aB4/UTCaYx5fugI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/6wBhJssz5J0/s640/IMG_4710.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />You can read all about the Dolls on their very own <a href="http://therednosedaydolls.blogspot.co.uk/">blog</a> or follow them on <a href="https://twitter.com/@rednosedaydolls">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RedNoseDayDollies?ref=ts&amp;fref=ts">Facebook</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-69855509441759248252013-02-06T16:02:00.000+00:002013-02-06T16:02:47.792+00:00Signs of spring ...I had a much anticipated walk around Kew Gardens today with the lovely <a href="http://kristinasjollyhockeysticks.blogspot.co.uk/">Kristina</a>&nbsp;- I even remembered my 'big' camera! I'd forgotten how much it dislikes the chilly wind that was blowing all the delicate winter flowers around though and so, sadly, many of my {blurry} photos have disappeared into the recycling bin *sigh*.<br /><br />Wrapped up in untold layers, and with coffee and cake in our tummies, we braved the cold, cold wind and grey skies.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeAYwF3ZGVU/URJ3NHSbvaI/AAAAAAAAFjI/pukgjtdwKq8/s1600/Snow+drops+at+Kew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeAYwF3ZGVU/URJ3NHSbvaI/AAAAAAAAFjI/pukgjtdwKq8/s640/Snow+drops+at+Kew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I find it so cheering to see the emergence of the first signs of spring. My own garden is beginning to tease me with its new growth too. My last remaining patch of snowdrops is very thin on the ground as it seems to have established itself bang slap in the middle of a well-used doggy pathway beneath the big conifers.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5WKC0vd39M/URJ3NZJJ-1I/AAAAAAAAFjg/K3GzvjZyE3s/s1600/Winter+aconites+at+Kew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5WKC0vd39M/URJ3NZJJ-1I/AAAAAAAAFjg/K3GzvjZyE3s/s640/Winter+aconites+at+Kew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Winter aconites are one of the first things to meet the challenge of the low temperatures of winter and early spring and I feared I had lost the few I had in my front garden, but today I spotted a solitary yellow bud and so I am hoping that mine are just extending their hibernation and getting up late. At Kew, however, there were lots of cheerful little clumps dotted around.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cco19omxJF8/URJ3LxxniPI/AAAAAAAAFi4/UI8fl5j47HU/s1600/Hellebore+at+Kew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cco19omxJF8/URJ3LxxniPI/AAAAAAAAFi4/UI8fl5j47HU/s640/Hellebore+at+Kew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Swaying bravely in the wind, Kew's hellebores were the main casualty in the photography department today and this lovely lime green one was the best of a {very bad} lot. How I love them - a complete work of botanic art.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlB479YdQ6o/URJ3NhJpHdI/AAAAAAAAFjY/npnuNtMf2ps/s1600/Witch+hazel+at+Kew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlB479YdQ6o/URJ3NhJpHdI/AAAAAAAAFjY/npnuNtMf2ps/s640/Witch+hazel+at+Kew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />A new-to-me plant that is fast becoming a necessity somewhere in my garden, is <a href="http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=368">witch hazel</a>. I've absolutely no idea why they have been off my radar all these years of gardening. I adore the slightly scruffy flowers. This gorgeous yellow one caught my eye immediately so I can imagine what a focal point one will create if I planted one in the border at the back of my garden.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKMuABGyy6I/URJ3MD-pncI/AAAAAAAAFi8/DutQoDxHWxw/s1600/Miniature+iris+at+Kew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKMuABGyy6I/URJ3MD-pncI/AAAAAAAAFi8/DutQoDxHWxw/s640/Miniature+iris+at+Kew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I love all the spring bulbs and cannot wait for my own garden to burst into colour over the coming months. I know for certain it is the anticipation of my tulips, narcissi, anemones and alliums that will get me through February now. There are signs of spring all around.<br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-69665797218977551262013-02-01T14:33:00.001+00:002013-02-01T14:33:55.964+00:00feather your nest ...I didn't mean to leave it quite so long to make my little announcement over here on the blog so here goes:<br /><br />Do you see that little shop widget over there ---&gt;<br />(Perhaps not, I guess, if you're reading on Reader or your mobile device, you'll have to take my word for it!)<br /><br />Having an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/featheryournest135">Etsy shop</a> is a project I have been thinking about for a very long time; a project that I have been working on for quite a long time; and finally, after all that time, have had the confidence to open up its doors.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550/b9/b2/a1/b9b2a13494d9e9447821c25702cbfae3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550/b9/b2/a1/b9b2a13494d9e9447821c25702cbfae3.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />After much procrastination I found that, along with some amazingly supportive friends, the Universe sent me a couple of gentle prods to set the ball rolling. I pinned the above picture just recently as I believe this to be very true of me. I cannot help making things and I'm certainly not happy if I am unable to make things.<br /><br />But who knew that there would quite so many things to think about in opening up an Etsy shop? The actual making of the things I wanted to sell was the easy bit - I've had to think about mail bags and wrapping, postage costs, what I wanted to be a strong point for selling my wares. Many, many details that have kept me awake at night.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMrVxXq7dK8/UQvP5ijtnDI/AAAAAAAAFiE/TR58Bw3brfA/s1600/feather+your+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMrVxXq7dK8/UQvP5ijtnDI/AAAAAAAAFiE/TR58Bw3brfA/s640/feather+your+nest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Then there was the actual name of the shop itself. '<b>feather your nest</b>' was always my first choice but after trying to get past the first page of the Etsy template, I realised it wasn't very original. Other names were toyed with but there was always a negative comment when I was trying them out on people to get some feedback that really put me off and so I always found myself back at my first idea. Hence the numbers on the actual web address, which aren't ideal but I can live with it!<br /><br />The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was one of pricing. It is a minefield and then serendipity handed me the thing I needed to read. <a href="http://bookhouathome.blogspot.ca/">Arounna</a> sums it up perfectly in <a href="http://bookhouathome.blogspot.ca/2013/01/i-had-someone-leave-feedback-on-etsy.html">this blog post</a>. I read it, digested it and it was the final thing my confidence needed to hit the 'open shop' button.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt80HLLW0v0/UQvP4qL44RI/AAAAAAAAFiA/PlnZ9jMSajg/s1600/cushion+mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt80HLLW0v0/UQvP4qL44RI/AAAAAAAAFiA/PlnZ9jMSajg/s640/cushion+mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It feels good to have a direction to take my creative sewing in and I'm looking forward to becoming part of the Etsy community. I'd love for you to have a wander through and let me know what you think. I'm happy to do custom orders too so if there is something that you like but maybe have your own ideas or colours, then I can make it happen for you!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjAl6JtHmOs/UQvP4WT91dI/AAAAAAAAFh8/w8iMxljnmEk/s1600/Emma%2527s+potholders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjAl6JtHmOs/UQvP4WT91dI/AAAAAAAAFh8/w8iMxljnmEk/s640/Emma%2527s+potholders.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-76273936574175736312013-01-27T12:48:00.001+00:002013-01-27T12:48:49.434+00:00In the post ...I love receiving things in the post and this week has been an excellent one for making me rush to the doormat every time I hear the thump of something falling on to it. Or sometimes, more often in the middle of the day, the doorbell rings and there is a terrified delivery person, shaking at the intense barking that ensues every time it rings, ready to hand over something wonderfully anticipated.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYVI1WmYeVI/UQUdjYnHYCI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/y0z7I-mymvo/s1600/My+new+satchel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYVI1WmYeVI/UQUdjYnHYCI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/y0z7I-mymvo/s640/My+new+satchel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I have <a href="http://wildacreflowers.blogspot.co.uk/">Belinda</a> to thank for the introduction of this satchel to my collection of bags. I spent many hours browsing the options in terms of colour, style and size and finally opted for this gorgeous metallic version. I'm not a shoe girl, but am definitely a bag girl (<i>not</i>&nbsp;bag lady!).<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgFug8kTbgE/UQUdjf54faI/AAAAAAAAFgI/JBZKJuYFjeA/s1600/Satchel+bokeh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgFug8kTbgE/UQUdjf54faI/AAAAAAAAFgI/JBZKJuYFjeA/s640/Satchel+bokeh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Next up were some of <a href="http://purplepoddedpeas.blogspot.co.uk/">Celia's</a> amazing <i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/celiahart">Not just for Valentine's Day</a></i>&nbsp;cards. &nbsp;My plan for these is to frame them and hang them somewhere prominent in the house. I absolutely love Celia's work and so, for me, this is a great way to be able to own some.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_ELkkOeaEA/UQUdh9PloSI/AAAAAAAAFfw/ArInJOBiA6U/s1600/Celia%2527s+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_ELkkOeaEA/UQUdh9PloSI/AAAAAAAAFfw/ArInJOBiA6U/s640/Celia%2527s+cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Just as satisfying as receiving things in the post, is making up little parcels to send out to others. &nbsp;I have finished my final block in the <a href="http://teenagegranny.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/and-so-it-begins.html">#twitknit</a>&nbsp;scarf swap I have been taking part in. Not all my blocks needed blocking, but this one most definitely did to show off the pattern.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5SOJMLgdwg/UQUdhuHIMqI/AAAAAAAAFfo/W2Lx3JwJAfk/s1600/Blocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5SOJMLgdwg/UQUdhuHIMqI/AAAAAAAAFfo/W2Lx3JwJAfk/s640/Blocking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It seems like a little sprinkle of magic happens when you use some pins, a water sprayer and a smidgeon of patience. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1lC4xZ768A/UQUditn-y1I/AAAAAAAAFf0/dzSHNf5JA8Y/s1600/Fern+block+for+Emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1lC4xZ768A/UQUditn-y1I/AAAAAAAAFf0/dzSHNf5JA8Y/s640/Fern+block+for+Emma.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm hoping that making trips to the post office to make such deliveries is going to become a regular happening soon as the last package to have fallen on my mat this week is very exciting (at least, to me) and after a bit tweaking here and there over the next day or two I will be unveiling a little project that I have been working on recently. I've been dropping hints over on Twitter so it's not exactly a secret if you follow me there ...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfPBD9l6aKo/UQUdjHTHkSI/AAAAAAAAFf4/jfpq6DHDUSc/s1600/Moo+delivery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfPBD9l6aKo/UQUdjHTHkSI/AAAAAAAAFf4/jfpq6DHDUSc/s640/Moo+delivery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sorry for terrible grainy phone photo, but I was just a tad excited and had to take an immediate photo!</i></span>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-2100479278486532702013-01-24T10:05:00.000+00:002013-01-24T10:05:10.007+00:00For the love of moss stitch...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HyjqR_s5oA/UQEFqAw3JFI/AAAAAAAAFe0/bDiH3oVjyh4/s1600/Alpaca+moss+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HyjqR_s5oA/UQEFqAw3JFI/AAAAAAAAFe0/bDiH3oVjyh4/s640/Alpaca+moss+stitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Now that the snow is melting, I finally cast off the scarf I have been making for the last few weeks. It's nothing fancy, just a beautiful, hand-painted <a href="http://www.loopknittingshop.com/product/4469/Misti_Alpaca_Hand_Paint_Chunky">yarn</a> that required no amount of fancy stitches to show it off (I chose the Blue Bell colour way). I've always loved <a href="http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/2012/07/variations.html">Julie's palest blue moss stitch scarf</a> that has graced her neck over many a cup of coffee we've shared and so I have shameless replicated something similar.<br /><br /><br />I had no pattern (none was needed, it is that simple), I just cast on 22 stitches and used up two skeins of yarn. I didn't even wind the skeins, I just hooked them over the handle of my knitting basket and prayed that they wouldn't tangle up into something horrific while I wasn't looking (they didn't).<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4AoZuLfVIs/UQEFp0Uh69I/AAAAAAAAFew/3EN_iaq2Mbw/s1600/Alpaca+moss+stitch+scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4AoZuLfVIs/UQEFp0Uh69I/AAAAAAAAFew/3EN_iaq2Mbw/s640/Alpaca+moss+stitch+scarf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I can't quite make up my mind whether or not my photos are actually out of focus slightly or the soft fuzziness of the yarn is just doing its thing.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IV7owSrVX8/UQEFp6I29uI/AAAAAAAAFes/vO5B_wHYUTU/s1600/Alpaca+moss+stitch+roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IV7owSrVX8/UQEFp6I29uI/AAAAAAAAFes/vO5B_wHYUTU/s640/Alpaca+moss+stitch+roll.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />No matter, I intend to wrap myself up with later when I head out to the post office with another piece of knitted goodness that is another blog post in itself.<br /><br />Stay warm!<br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-14760387681894900972013-01-17T13:21:00.000+00:002013-01-17T13:21:27.603+00:00Right now ...<br /><ul><li>I am facing the fear and cutting out curves.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOrOSjJyMhM/UPf5jjITsMI/AAAAAAAAFdw/3r8_8xdNkxU/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOrOSjJyMhM/UPf5jjITsMI/AAAAAAAAFdw/3r8_8xdNkxU/s640/IMG_4440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Making little piles as part of a very methodical sewing project.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVV7tludTuM/UPf5jFjlSvI/AAAAAAAAFdk/pmF3fPc4au8/s1600/IMG_4439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVV7tludTuM/UPf5jFjlSvI/AAAAAAAAFdk/pmF3fPc4au8/s640/IMG_4439.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><ul><li>Enjoying piles of newly delivered fabric for another project.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFu08V9C9gk/UPf5iUd1yFI/AAAAAAAAFdc/Z7mUw3Lwr7U/s1600/IMG_4437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFu08V9C9gk/UPf5iUd1yFI/AAAAAAAAFdc/Z7mUw3Lwr7U/s640/IMG_4437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Smiling at my stripy, new ironing board cover.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXWIa6F7vkY/UPf5id7TkyI/AAAAAAAAFdU/eg-cYwv3Eug/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXWIa6F7vkY/UPf5id7TkyI/AAAAAAAAFdU/eg-cYwv3Eug/s640/IMG_4436.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Drinking too much coffee.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_Bj4Y5vKdM/UPf5jB-xj7I/AAAAAAAAFdg/28Kas35MarQ/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_Bj4Y5vKdM/UPf5jB-xj7I/AAAAAAAAFdg/28Kas35MarQ/s640/IMG_4438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Bracing myself for the possibility of more snow.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RkI5upccY0/UPf5iYHoZLI/AAAAAAAAFdY/FF_4yjRJrr8/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RkI5upccY0/UPf5iYHoZLI/AAAAAAAAFdY/FF_4yjRJrr8/s640/IMG_4435.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-17471662284432494122013-01-09T15:26:00.000+00:002013-01-09T15:26:13.690+00:00New year, new project...Things are on the go-slow here still as No2 is now off on study leave as he has a couple of exams this week and I can never get back to normal until the school year is under way good and proper.<br /><br />Fed up with nagging him to revise, I have found myself joining in with an informal quilt-a-long over on Instagram that Katy blogged about <a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/it-wasnt-my-fault.html">here</a> and I am blaming that <a href="http://peppermintpatcher.wordpress.com/">Peppermint Patcher</a> for giving me the final push! I've been long collecting ideas on <a href="http://pinterest.com/ttcdowling/for-the-home/">Pinterest</a> for making a scrappy quilt and this one fits the bill perfectly.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbM3LLQay8g/UO2LF9UlApI/AAAAAAAAFcc/RiXaCDL78Mo/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbM3LLQay8g/UO2LF9UlApI/AAAAAAAAFcc/RiXaCDL78Mo/s640/IMG_4358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />My worktable had accumulated a sprawling pile of fabrics that were the leftovers from the last few projects I've been working on so I made a start by cutting a 2½" strip from each of them before I put them away.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-ZSUuwiG4o/UO2LE9Oo7-I/AAAAAAAAFcQ/PzN2LOC3gWc/s1600/IMG_4357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-ZSUuwiG4o/UO2LE9Oo7-I/AAAAAAAAFcQ/PzN2LOC3gWc/s640/IMG_4357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I have to confess, it's addictive. My only rule is that I try not to duplicate a fabric for each strip, so that's 216 different fabrics required. Blushing, I am going to confess that my fabric stash will allow me to achieve this! A lot of it <i>is </i>scrap though ; )<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qjXOZ1VhNY/UO2LFGSCQgI/AAAAAAAAFcY/Yr90rLbPBc0/s1600/IMG_4356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qjXOZ1VhNY/UO2LFGSCQgI/AAAAAAAAFcY/Yr90rLbPBc0/s640/IMG_4356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I'd forgotten how satisfying the image above is to me. A pile of potential fabric goodness.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg1m1YZTi0s/UO2LFB-9UFI/AAAAAAAAFcU/dHfFYjEPU6Q/s1600/IMG_4355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg1m1YZTi0s/UO2LFB-9UFI/AAAAAAAAFcU/dHfFYjEPU6Q/s640/IMG_4355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Six blocks done, a sixth of the way through, and a snapshot of my fabric collection. It feels oddly liberating to be making something with no agenda and just being able to trust my instinct.<br /><br /><br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-41025916524525301702012-12-12T11:58:00.001+00:002012-12-12T11:58:10.789+00:00Promises...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Phew! I've been trying to post for ages (read: weeks) but kept getting annoying messages about having reached my photo storage limit. It seems to have resolved itself now as this post seems to be out there...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I've been taking note of a few promising things that have been getting me through these grey days. Although, today is not one of them - I woke up to the most amazing hoar frost, as did many others judging by the excitement and wonderful photos popping up all over the place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, to the point in hand:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>the promise of spring, in spite of winter having only just set in - my paperwhites, adorned with red cornus stems from the front garden.</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfYc8YrhAuE/UMhuJ5z3_VI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/DS9fmAREWZg/s1600/CSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfYc8YrhAuE/UMhuJ5z3_VI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/DS9fmAREWZg/s640/CSC_0117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><ul><li>basil seedlings, slowly germinating on the kitchen windowsill, to liven up our pasta and paninis.</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcTs3nPti2Y/UMhuLNVXW-I/AAAAAAAAFZ8/sj67OEIUUes/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcTs3nPti2Y/UMhuLNVXW-I/AAAAAAAAFZ8/sj67OEIUUes/s640/DSC_0120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>tooth-like crocus bulbs pushing through the soil and gravel on the garden table</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-li3Fb6dbVHU/UMhuMG-ldaI/AAAAAAAAFaE/5wCQQWecV44/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-li3Fb6dbVHU/UMhuMG-ldaI/AAAAAAAAFaE/5wCQQWecV44/s640/DSC_0123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>a greenhouse full of autumn sown sweet peas and other seedlings, in anticipation of my exciting <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/plotting.html">new cutting garden</a> next year. (HG meaning from the seed man himself, <a href="http://higgledygarden.com/">Mr Higgledy Garden</a>)</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu3yhPyqnOg/UMhuNvn2G_I/AAAAAAAAFaM/2Fz4DAldB6Y/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu3yhPyqnOg/UMhuNvn2G_I/AAAAAAAAFaM/2Fz4DAldB6Y/s640/DSC_0127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>hellebores in my pots and dotted through my front garden with big fat buds ready to open in the coldest season. Will I dare to cut them?</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taXVncrZ6XE/UMhuS_meLdI/AAAAAAAAFaU/wCEFemEVHLc/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taXVncrZ6XE/UMhuS_meLdI/AAAAAAAAFaU/wCEFemEVHLc/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>a skein of sumptuously soft yarn that promises to warm my neck up sometime soon. Very soon, I hope.</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdqyu0f-gqQ/UMhuUsK2aiI/AAAAAAAAFac/-wYibwnE4Ms/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdqyu0f-gqQ/UMhuUsK2aiI/AAAAAAAAFac/-wYibwnE4Ms/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-22298010442603445622012-11-19T09:52:00.000+00:002012-11-19T09:52:48.744+00:00A quilt for No2...I made my twentieth quilt! Yes, a score of quilts now under my belt in the last four years, something that when I actually counted up, I couldn't quite believe.<div><br /></div><div>So it seems rather apt, that after all that amount of practice, I have finally made one for No2. Fortunately, he's not the nagging type or the sort that begs for my handmade creations, so I'm trying not to feel any guilt at all that he has only just got his very own heirloom.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcJJsNt7jwI/UKn6k6ukXdI/AAAAAAAAFZM/t7uPkzFotRY/s1600/IMG_3133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcJJsNt7jwI/UKn6k6ukXdI/AAAAAAAAFZM/t7uPkzFotRY/s640/IMG_3133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It began life back at the beginning of July with the intention of making it his 16th birthday present (which was at the end of August) but the <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/six-weeks-six-things.html">crafting disaster of 2012</a> put it on the back burner and I had to confess that it wouldn't be ready and wrapped for the big day. The design is something that I had seen somewhere ages ago but stupidly not pinned and so&nbsp;unfortunately&nbsp;I cannot link back to. I used <a href="http://www.thatgirlthatquilt.com/2011/03/have-stitchin-weekend.html?m=1">this</a> tutorial for making the half square triangles from a layer cake (10" squares) and some deliciously dark charcoal cotton. Needing more fabric, I then picked some goodies from <a href="http://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/">The Village Haberdashery</a> to make up the final amount needed.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95SI1nrT42o/UKn6ig3a1mI/AAAAAAAAFY4/ocghZwHKID0/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95SI1nrT42o/UKn6ig3a1mI/AAAAAAAAFY4/ocghZwHKID0/s640/DSC_0091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I whiled away the afternoons more recently, hand-quilting and had forgotten how much I love doing this as the last few quilts I have made have been machine-quilted. {Confession: I did start machine-quilting this but it went horribly wrong due to some of the seams being on the bias because of the construction method ... cue some swearing and&nbsp;<i>another </i>playdate with the seam ripper}</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g64DzvfmFTg/UKn6j7jsVjI/AAAAAAAAFZE/3FHdIio4ZyA/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g64DzvfmFTg/UKn6j7jsVjI/AAAAAAAAFZE/3FHdIio4ZyA/s640/DSC_0092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On the back, I used one of the extra wide quilt backing fabrics from <a href="http://www.misformake.co.uk/collections/fabric/products/dottie-quilt-backing-grey">M is for Make</a>. I'm not overly keen on it as I think the quality of the fabric isn't up to much and seemed a little slippery which made for plenty of puckers and other minor unsightly bits.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJJk0M4qWnI/UKn6g21ZsII/AAAAAAAAFY0/NJJ3m_BRqT8/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJJk0M4qWnI/UKn6g21ZsII/AAAAAAAAFY0/NJJ3m_BRqT8/s640/DSC_0086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday's sunshine meant that I had to remove it from the shoulders of its new owner and take some quick pics of it in the garden. You can see from the creases that within just 24 hours it has been well used!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fdcqu9wh3w/UKn6ffkExdI/AAAAAAAAFYs/M4HD8WK1Bgk/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fdcqu9wh3w/UKn6ffkExdI/AAAAAAAAFYs/M4HD8WK1Bgk/s640/DSC_0085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYQ6dYvVhWQ/UKn6eWunACI/AAAAAAAAFYk/1UByku9-O2k/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYQ6dYvVhWQ/UKn6eWunACI/AAAAAAAAFYk/1UByku9-O2k/s640/DSC_0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As ever, there are plans afoot for the <a href="http://www.thesometimescrafter.com/RetroFlowersQuilt.html">next</a> quilt. One that I have been itching to make a start on for a-g-e-s but will have to wait a while before I dare master the curved seam. &nbsp;I have the pattern, the fabric, the special foot for my machine and the perspex template but am lacking the nerve to give it a go. A New Year's resolution, perhaps?</div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-5949570363552797062012-11-14T17:13:00.001+00:002012-11-14T17:13:50.579+00:00Plotting...Back in the summer when I was in the throes of the daily delights of bringing flowers into the house that I had successfully grown myself, I got to thinking about bigger and better things. It seemed that the three raised beds that I had reutilised to feed this new-found passion were simply not enough. I found myself looking over the back fence at the allotment plot that I <a href="http://dragonfliesandchickens.blogspot.co.uk/2008/03/and-finding-it.html">once</a> worked until the sheer scale of it became too daunting for me to fit into what was, back then, a busier time in life.<br /><br />One afternoon a few months ago, I could hear the solitary allotmenteer busy trying to cut the grass that surrounds the five plots and decided to bite the bullet and ask about taking on a plot again. The view that confronted me over the fence was pretty scary but then I knew that the four remaining plots hadn't been worked since I gave up back in 2008. I'm not sure how that little patch of bare earth in the photo below has survived the onslaught of weeds but it gave me a taste of how things could be.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0D9DA-6tGwQ/UKPMLsTduOI/AAAAAAAAFX4/T-4qhpuAQqk/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0D9DA-6tGwQ/UKPMLsTduOI/AAAAAAAAFX4/T-4qhpuAQqk/s1600/Image.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arwCD7hMYk4/UKPMK3NaqYI/AAAAAAAAFXw/UCRWm8mQ3jg/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arwCD7hMYk4/UKPMK3NaqYI/AAAAAAAAFXw/UCRWm8mQ3jg/s1600/Image+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />After giving it a little bit more thought, I took action. I knew that I wouldn't be able to even contemplate clearing the plot on my own and so with the help of the lovely <a href="http://www.thephysicgarden.co.uk/">Sara</a>, who I met on Twitter, I employed some muscle and now look!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P51nyI3ksyc/UKPMI-nA3bI/AAAAAAAAFXk/ci8fw54ZAKA/s1600/IMG_4098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P51nyI3ksyc/UKPMI-nA3bI/AAAAAAAAFXk/ci8fw54ZAKA/s640/IMG_4098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />My masterplan is to keep the majority of it covered overwinter so that I have a glorious blank canvas to work with next year. Who knew that I'd get so excited to order tarpaulins? Or manure?! But excited I am and my head is buzzing with plans about what to grow.<br /><br />First up and in the ground are <a href="http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=434">raspberries</a>. &nbsp;I did a bit of research (again, on Twitter) and got loads of responses back about the best and most reliable varieties. I've also got some <a href="http://shop.otterfarm.co.uk/collections/fruit/products/raspberries-allgold">golden ones</a> on order.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNl6pwzGEys/UKPMKD4PTmI/AAAAAAAAFXs/Bxoe4JBHJow/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNl6pwzGEys/UKPMKD4PTmI/AAAAAAAAFXs/Bxoe4JBHJow/s640/IMG_4099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I'm hoping that this weekend I can get a couple of <a href="http://shop.otterfarm.co.uk/products/autumn-planting-pack">other things</a> in the ground just to get the ball rolling and then I can dream and list and plan and <a href="http://pinterest.com/ttcdowling/allotment-stuff/">pin</a> to my heart's content over the coming months.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SKxlszT6Ac/UKPMGURay-I/AAAAAAAAFXU/b_HyNZYzQsg/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SKxlszT6Ac/UKPMGURay-I/AAAAAAAAFXU/b_HyNZYzQsg/s640/DSC_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm really hoping that I can have some fun with this space and that it reflects the things that are important to me. I'm thinking of a patchwork of growing space: one that is practical and pleasing to look at.<br /><br />What are you plotting?<br /><br />dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724074676917730292.post-69519943994494972092012-11-06T09:08:00.000+00:002012-11-06T09:08:43.571+00:00Miscellany ...It's funny, I've been itching to write a blog post but there seem to be too many thoughts in my head to focus on any one subject at the moment. It's not that I've been idle either. I now have to structure my day by taking regular breaks from doing anything for too long that requires me to adopt a 'head down' position, in order to keep my neck healthy and to continue healing. So that includes all forms of making and creating. Even doing the ironing is all about looking down, for goodness sake!<br /><br />Also, I find that my posts are usually so clearly defined by the photos I take but in these days of Twitter and Instagram, my pictures somehow feel a little second-hand.<br /><br />I just looked through my Photostream and realised that, actually, there are some photos that I'd like to share and the story behind them, so here goes:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>No2 went to Iceland over half term last week. I offered to go as a parent helper but was told that I wouldn't be needed, which I thought was rather unfair. By all accounts, he had a great time but the food was terrible! I was a good mother and filled his suitcase with suitable rubbish (read Pringles and Haribo) to tide him over, which I was reliably informed that he was rationing to last the week. Oh dear...</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJDq3c9SP7s/UJjP4iNl44I/AAAAAAAAFWM/2R8DzuD5w1w/s1600/IMG_4021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJDq3c9SP7s/UJjP4iNl44I/AAAAAAAAFWM/2R8DzuD5w1w/s1600/IMG_4021.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>As if one rainbow isn't enough by the waterfall ...</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7MGyjxdty0/UJjP5YtPDfI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/61tvAsJzwDM/s1600/IMG_4025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7MGyjxdty0/UJjP5YtPDfI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/61tvAsJzwDM/s1600/IMG_4025.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>The highlight of his trip was to <a href="http://www.bluelagoon.com/Geothermal-spa/">The Blue Lagoon</a>. He didn't get any photos but we were excited to watch on the live webcam while he was actually in there! I do love this little video he made of a geyser doing its thing too.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qKR8U7uSB-c?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Meanwhile, back at home, I have enjoyed the morning sun finding its way onto my table.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNAwUeFopHo/UJjP3ufnzEI/AAAAAAAAFWE/obr1Gvkq6Jw/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNAwUeFopHo/UJjP3ufnzEI/AAAAAAAAFWE/obr1Gvkq6Jw/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>And then, in the evening, sitting with the twinkle of candlelight in an effort to embrace the dark evenings.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOjWPxrr_8A/UJjP6--pKZI/AAAAAAAAFWc/dVfL0QOil98/s1600/IMG_4026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOjWPxrr_8A/UJjP6--pKZI/AAAAAAAAFWc/dVfL0QOil98/s1600/IMG_4026.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div>dragonflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03956813648763032057noreply@blogger.com10